Back Boiler, many issues

[Goggles]

Hi, I have a Baxi Bermuda 552-553 and at xmas after having the heating on during the cold snap for most of the day for a week it started to make a grinding kettle boiling noise, very loud but from where I do not know.
Now that has stopped, partly maybe due to us only having it on for a hour at most and using the fire its self to heat the room, but today I noticed the on/off cycle for it was down to 35 seconds off before clicking back on, normally it was about 3-4 mins between these.
We only have the back boiler/fire serviced two months ago as the pilot light just would no go back on after cutting out, but that is fine now it seems, and really can't afford anyone to come back out and see to it.
Any one have an idea as to what it is and how bad it sounds?
The water is heating fine and the rads too, its now just the quick cycle that is worrying me. I know nothing about this sort of thing at all.

Thanks.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Pump's broken

 

[Goggles]

Anything I can do? I have no idea even how to locate it.
How much would this job cost?
And how bad would it be to leave it? At least for a few months.

 

[Whitespirit66]

If you have floorboards in the room where the baxi is, often the pump is under some loose boards either side of the chimney breast. Otherwise, it might be in airing cupboard or anywhere.

Wouldn't leave it like this too long, as boiler is obviously not best pleased.

 

[Goggles]

Thanks, I will have a look tomorrow, what's the average price to get this fixed and can you do it yourself?
I wont have to replace the whole boiler would I? the cost of that is far to much.
Like I said the water is heating fine and the rads are good, what's the main issue if I leave it too long?
And is it most likely to be the pump or could it be a thermo issue what with it cycling to often?
And looking at the pump, what am I too look for?
Sorry about all these questions.

 

[45yearsagasman]

Quote:-Like I said the water is heating fine and the rads are good,
Won't be the pump then

 

[Goggles]

Any idea what it is then?

 

[expertgasman]

[Any one have an idea as to what it is and how bad it sounds?
The water is heating fine and the rads too, its now just the quick cycle that is worrying me.

Probably because you are now only using the boiler for short one hour spurts. Initially after firing, the cycle will be quicker. As the system heats up and the return temperature increases, the off period will lengthen. Also, as the ambient temperature is b***** cold, the return temperature will take a bit longer to rise.

 

[expertgasman]

Why did you name your post "many issues". Have I missed something?

 

[Agile]

See what speed the pump is on and turn it one higher.

Local area we would charge £84 plus £75 if valves work.

Tony

 

[expertgasman]

See what speed the pump is on and turn it one higher.

Why. he's already said the rads are okay. He's only worried about tghe cycling rate.

 

[Nige F]

Hi, I have a Baxi Bermuda it started to make a grinding kettle boiling noise, that is worrying me. I know nothing about this sort of thing at all.

Thanks.

It is indeed kettling - localised hot spots inside the water jacket and some crud from it`s years of use - Nothing to worry about It`s a lump of cast iron - unlike the puny high tech computer controlled boilers that we are told we must have to save the planet . As long as it`s been service and the Safety issues have been checked in that service - Just use it

 

[Agile]

Why. he's already said the rads are okay. He's only worried about tghe cycling rate.

Dont you think the flow rate through the boiler will affect the cycling and kettling?

Its not yet clear if this grinding is the pump or kettling.

Tony

 

[Goggles]

Thanks for the replies, I named it many issues as I am not sure if the noise and the cycles were linked.
The back boiler (in the fire) was serviced two months ago but the main big copper tank has not been serviced possibly ever though I do not know if the noise was coming from there as I couldn't trace it.
I'll stick the heating on for longer and see if the cycle evens out, I was just worried to do this in case the whole thing over heated and broke completely (the initial first and longest cycle now lasts about 30 mins).

 

[Goggles]

Had the heating on for a while and the cycle was still short, changed from 35 seconds up to 56 seconds but that was not constant.
Plus I bled my upstairs rad a few days ago thinking that might fix it as it had been cold for a few years and lots of air came out and then it was fine, but I put my hand on it before and the top is hot but not scalding like it was only a few days ago, it is scalding about 3 inches down and beyond.